The State DMV here is incredibly cooperative when you call them...Ive never had an issue .. try it.... btw ..the date IS when you take possession....and theres a minimum price of $2500 if memory serves..sell your heap below that and there is no sales tax on it...but why not get the official word?

Good tip. I'll give them a call. Oh, and they recently changed the amount. It used to be 6% on any purchase (or trade difference) over $2,400, but now it's 6.5% on any purchase or trade difference over $4,000.